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Countdown to Rural Transformation Has Started

On October 18th, a Proton-M rocket will launch a new 4G satellite to be used by Xplornet. Photo courtesy of International Launch Services (ILS). (CNW Group/Xplornet Communications Inc.) Facebook Twitter Pinterest

On October 18th, a Proton-M rocket will launch a new 4G satellite to be used by Xplornet. Photo courtesy of International Launch Services (ILS). (CNW Group/Xplornet Communications Inc.)

Proton Rocket Carrying Xplornet's Next-Generation Broadband Satellite to
Launch in Late October

MARKHAM, ON, Sept. 21, 2011 /CNW/ - The construction of ViaSat-1, North
America's first 4G broadband satellite, is complete. A game-changer in
terms of ubiquitous broadband access in Canada, ViaSat-1 will allow for
previously unavailable speed and bandwidth economics, and will provide
Canadians in its footprint, which includes many remote areas, the
opportunity to get a broadband connection that is truly fast and
affordable.

ViaSat-1 can support customer download speeds of up to 25 Mbps, and its
capacity is greater than the capacity of all current North American
broadband satellites combined, with the ability to provide broadband
service to 1.5 million customers in North America. Xplornet
Communications Inc., Canada's leading provider of rural broadband, has
purchased 100% of the Canadian Ka-band capacity on the satellite, and
will use that capacity entirely for rural broadband. Together with the
planned launch of a second, similar 4G satellite in 2012 and with its
national fixed-wireless 4G network, Xplornet will effectively end
Canada's urban/rural digital-divide.

With the deployment of this satellite, Canada joins a group of other
countries, including France, Germany, the UK, Australia and India, that
have endorsed 4G satellite broadband as the solution for ensuring 100% access to affordable broadband. With their
capacity to exploit the full potential of the Ka spectrum-band, these
next generation satellites deliver more than ten times the speed and
capacity of current systems at a much lower cost per customer.

The satellite will be launched from the BaikonurCosmodrome in Kazakhstan,theworld's first and largest operational space launch facility, and the
site of the historic launch of the first manned-spacecraft which
propelled Yuri Gagarin into orbit fifty years ago this year. The
satellite will be stationed in geosynchronous orbit at an altitude of
35,786 km - high enough to get a clear view of the vast Canadian
geography it will be serving.

The rocket launch is scheduled for October 18th, 2011. However, weather conditions can delay launches from time to
time. Updates on launch status are available at our launch status
website at www.4GSatellite.ca. To facilitate coverage of the launch, Xplornet will capture HD video,
offer a live stream of the launch and is pleased to work with editors
to create interview opportunities before, during and after launch.
Xplornet executives will be at the launch site to provide real-time
comment. Xplornet expects the satellite service to be available to
Canadians late this year.

About Xplornet Communications Inc.
Headquartered in Woodstock, New Brunswick, Xplornet Communications Inc.
(formerly Barrett Xplore Inc.) is Canada's leading rural broadband
provider, with customers and dealers in every province and territory.
Xplornet aims to bridge the urban/rural digital divide by ensuring that
every Canadian, regardless of where they live, has access to broadband,
thereby enabling them to compete effectively in the global economy and
gain access to essential government and educational services.